UMPSA, Grab sign MoU, to improve education for gig workers

KUANTAN: Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) and Grab Malaysia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on access to education and training to improve the academic and competency qualification of gig workers.

UMPSA vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Yuserrie Zainuddin said the collaboration will give gig workers the opportunity to attend training and development programme provided by the university's subsidiary, UMPSA Advanced, which has extensive experience in lifelong learning programmes.

"A number of them (gig workers) did not further their studies to higher education institutions due to various factors including financial burden and chose the gig job route because it provided good returns for those who are just entering adulthood.

"The opportunity to work and study flexibly paves the way for educational accreditation that is beneficial for more job opportunities and increases marketability which in turn improves the living and socioeconomic standards of gig workers," he said in a statement here today.

At the MoU session, Yuserrie represented UMPSA while Grab Malaysia was represented by Grab Malaysia's Government Relations and Policy director Ebi Azly Abdullah.

Yuserrie said UMPSA and UMPSA Advanced will offer more flexible courses and training in the form of micro-credentials, suitable for those who do not have the time to follow conventional courses or training.

Meanwhile, Ebi Azly described the collaboration as giving Grab drivers and delivery riders the opportunity to obtain higher education accreditation towards a more stable career opportunity for them.

It is also one of Grab's initiatives under the GrabBenefits programme introduced in 2017 to protect the welfare of Grab drivers and riders.

-- BERNAMA

Read the latest news here